Grill on upper deck

Alex in her favorite chair

New French Doors and redone cedar on back of house.

Another view

Looking southwest on upper deck

Looking northeast on upper deck

Looking down to lower deck area

Boat high and dry - Boo Hoo

Home Again

Hi All,
We arrived home safely on Sunday afternoon and have been very busy every day since then catching up on stuff around the house. My contractor/neighbor Jim across the street got the deck stained on the Wednesday before we returned home but it still needed another coat which he did yesterday, Friday. We also had him remove and replace all of the cedar on the back of the house. When he installed the doors he found some rotten wood and the new cedar around the doors loked much better than the old stuff so we decided to replace it all. Jim and his helper tore the old wood off, painted the new wood before cutting and installing, and then installed the new wood. He went around and touched up some areas and the finished product looks great! I will post a few pictures so you can see for yourself.

I have been working on the sprinkler system the last two days and can now see the end of the job. Some of the sprinklers weren't coming on and some would come on but not turn correctly. I have ben adjusting and replacing as I go, four new ones so far. I will finish today, hopefully. We have contacted a landscaper to give us a bid on completly renewing all of our landscaping around the house, in the front entry way, and in the shade area under the trees in the backyard. Much of it is overgrown, several plants died because of the lack of water while we were gone, and some just doesn't look right. Hopefully we can afford his bid otherwise we go to plan B and we don't have a plan B right now. Anyhow enjoy the pics and be safe.

Big bite

Ready for bed

The Alamo wall

The dome at the Gaylord Texan

David and Cole at the fish pond

Fountain at the Gaylord Texan

David and Cole in old mine

Train at the Gaylord Texan

Picture spot at the Gaylord Texan

Telling Grandpa about the shoes

Cole in his dad's sandals

Grandpa, Cole, and Alex playing

A quiet moment

Yes, I'm cute

Story time

Maryn meets Alex

Rachel and Maryn

Heading for Home

We have had a terrific time the past two weekends seeing our family in St. Louis and Keller. The grand kids are growing like weeds and are much more animated than at our last visit. We love them all and look forward to seeing everyone at Thanksgiving at our home.

We reluctantly but eagerly head for home today. We are anxious to see the completed deck, new doors, and just to be in our lovely home for a while. The drive is only about 90 minutes so we will leave when Tippy returns from Mass this morning.

We spent time with David’s family yesterday which included a trip to a new hotel called the Gaylord Texan. It was quite impressive inside with a giant domed ceiling, a replica of San Antonio’s Riverwalk, and several restaurants, bars, and shops on the main level. The rooms are all on the perimeter and one side features a replica of The Alamo. There was an enormous amount of plants, flowers, and trees all indigenous to Texas. I am sure it would have been spectacular at night with the dome lights and all of the planting lights turned on.

David had to attend a church meeting so he left right from the hotel and Tippy and I returned to the house with Rachel and assisted her in getting the kids ready for bed before we departed for home.

Enjoy the pictures. We will do another post after we get home. I know you want to see the deck so stay tuned and I will get some pics next week. Be safe.